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How to Tell the Difference Between Food Poisoning and a Stomach Bug

Food poisoning and a stomach bug are two illnesses everyone hates to have. Although there are a number of similarities between having food poisoning and having the stomach flu, these are each distinct illnesses that have different treatment methods. Let’s discuss the difference between food poisoning and a stomach bug and describe Drip Hydration’s stomach flu IV treatment and how it can help.

Symptoms They Share

Food poisoning and stomach flu generally produce the same symptoms. You may experience nausea or vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, and belly pain or cramps. Both the stomach flu and food poisoning can also cause fever and dehydration.

Food Poisoning

Foodborne illness (also called food poisoning) is caused by eating food that has been contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or a virus. Contamination occurs as a result of food being cooked improperly or handled unsafely.

You are likely to begin to show signs of food poisoning anywhere from a few hours to a few days after consuming contaminated food. Food poisoning is not contagious.

There are several ways to know if you might have food poisoning. If you get sick after eating at a restaurant, you might have food poisoning. If there are news reports of food being recalled due to salmonella, listeria, or E. coli outbreak, you may have gotten food poisoning from consuming food that is on the recall list. Food poisoning can also occur if you have eaten meat or seafood that wasn’t thoroughly cooked in the middle, if you have eaten unwashed vegetables or leafy greens, or if you have eaten food that was left out overnight. You may be dismayed to learn that eating raw cookie dough can also cause food poisoning.

Stomach Flu

Viral gastroenteritis (also known as the stomach flu or a stomach bug) is caused by a virus that passes from person to person. Although it often gets referred to as the flu, it is not caused by the type of influenza virus that flu shots protect us from. Parasites and bacteria can also cause gastroenteritis.

In addition to the symptoms listed above, the stomach flu can also cause chills and body aches. Usually, you will get sick a day or two after you have been exposed to the stomach flu. Keep in mind that the stomach flu is contagious, so you should keep your distance from other people in order to prevent them from getting the virus from you.

There are a number of ways to know if you have stomach flu based on when and how you got sick. If you got sick one or two days after being around someone else who was sick, you might have the stomach flu. If you got sick after spending lots of time in close contact with other people (such as at a dorm, school, daycare, nursing home, or on an airplane or a cruise ship), you might have come into contact with someone who has the stomach flu without realizing it.

Stomach Flu IV Treatment

Our stomach flu IV treatment works to help soothe and heal your body when you have the stomach flu. This IV treats upset stomach, nausea, and fatigue. It contains B complex vitamins, vitamin B12, vitamin C, Pepcid, and Zofran. A trained medical professional administers all our IV treatments in your home.

Contact Drip Hydration today if you would like to book a stomach flu IV treatment. You can book your treatment online. We offer our services in 30 states, including Hawaii.

Safe, At-Home Stomach Flu Treatments

Getting stomach flu treatment is a safe and convenient way to help relieve your symptoms quickly. Drip Hydration brings stomach flu IV treatments directly to you. One of our expert registered nurses will arrive at your location to administer treatment.

Call Drip Hydration or book an appointment using the button below. Let us help you feel better fast!